Celebrating The Great Outdoors with An Elevated Picnic Styled Shoot at Parties on the Terrace

Styled Shoot
Picnics get a luxurious new look with a trending spring-infused palette and touches of elegant whimsy at parties on the terrace
Written by
Lara Burnap

Published:

Washington Wedding Day Spring/Summer 2025

The design for an elevated picnic comes to fruition at Parties on the Terrace, effortlessly striking a balance between casual and elegant. The idea was sparked by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest—rain and all—and included a touch of whimsy in the creation of this high-end design. “We love stepping into an outdoor venue or someone’s backyard and imagining all of the different possibilities for building a one-of-a-kind wedding,” says Aaron Shook of Perfect Storm Moments. Soft, natural spring colors of mauve, buttery yellow and deep green make ideal complements to Parties on the Terrace’s lush foliage and grand trees. “Our favorite detail that we wove throughout the design was the addition of mushrooms into the floral design,” notes Shook. “Kinetic Botany used different types and textures to add a unique element to this vision.”

We LOVE when we can create a sense of timeless LUXURY in a space like Parties on the Terrace.

–Aaron Shook, Perfect Storm Moments

The bouquet is a springtime gathering of sweet peas, scabiosa, garden roses, tulips, lisianthus and grevillea foliage, with a large chanterelle mushroom in the middle. “The trend of bouquets for grooms is really about inclusivity and self-expression in weddings,” says Lexi Hamill of Kinetic Botany.

The spot for the ceremony features pedestals handcrafted by Shook, which are topped with bountiful florals—including tulips, sweet peas, garden roses, snapdragons and scented geraniums—arranged in mix-and-match vessels sourced from Goodwill. “While perfectly matching vessels can look great, searching for unique, repurposed vessels can help add character and personal touches to your wedding day,” says Hamill.

Floral items don’t need to be SILOED into gendered categories. If you want a bouquet, a boutonnière or something ENTIRELY different, go for it!

–Lexi Hamill, Kinetic Botany

Adding a little touch of something purposeful and UNIQUE to your wedding will help it feel personal and make for a MEMORABLE experience for you and your guests.

–Lexi Hamill, Kinetic Botany

The tabletop is filled with subtle suggestions of a picnic, such as wicker placemats and mini baskets filled with macarons, all laid out on a sage botanical printed linen. Locally grown mushrooms in a variety of colors and textures are tucked into the floral arrangements and scattered around the table and cake display—a thoughtful, whimsical detail. “When thinking about a wedding, time and place are important,” says Hamill. “In the Pacific Northwest, mushrooms are widely available and change with the seasons. Incorporating them into a wedding design creates that anchor into time and place while also adding an unexpected, interesting element.”

“We love creating weddings in spaces where we can send guests on a journey and build little hidden spaces for guests to find and explore,” says Shook. Parties on the Terrace features a variety of verdant spaces, including the 2,800-square-foot Grand Lawn, two terraced lawns tucked among towering trees, a covered outdoor patio and a cozy firepit surrounded by Adirondack chairs. “Creating a comfortable yet elegant lounge space that fit this outdoor space was an important part of the design,” says Shook. “It lent a special nod to the vision of a luxurious backyard picnic.”

Every couple is DIFFERENT, and finding ways to tell their STORY in the design makes such an impact.

–Aaron Shook, Perfect Storm Moments

WEDDING PRO TEAM

Florals
Groom Attire
Grooming & Styling
Model
Jesse Malin
Model
Yoshi Wright
Photography
Planning & Design
Rentals